Updates Coming to Washington State Paid Family Leave​ in 2026

In May of 2025, Washington State passed Senate Bill 1213, which makes several changes to the state's Paid Family Leave program starting July 1st, 2026. Here is everything you need to know about the upcoming updates to Washington State Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML).

WA Paid Family Medical Leave
Updates for 2026

Starting January 1st, 2026, several key updates to Washington State Paid Family and Medical Leave will go into effect. 

These updates include: 

• How leave may be used
• Job protection eligibility
• Job protection requirement coverage

Updates to WA PFML Leave Usage

Starting January 1st, 2026, the requirements for using leave will change.

Previously, even though leave does not have to be taken all at once, periods of leave used by employees were required to be at least 8 hours long. This is an important restriction, as part-time employees who worked 4-hour days would need to take at least two days off from work to use PFML leave. 

The updated law will allow employees to take a period of leave at least 4 hours long.

Updates to Job Protection Under WA PFML

There are also several updates around job protection under WA PFML. These updates apply to which employees are entitled to job protection rights, and which employers are required to provide job protection. 

Previously, employers with at least 50 employees were required to provide job protection to covered employees taking leave under WA PFML. Covered employees were those who had worked for 12 months or longer and had worked 1,250 hours in the year before the first day they took Paid Leave.

Starting January 1st, 2026, the definition of "covered employees" will change to someone who has satisfied 180 calendar days of employment with their employer.

Also beginning January 1st, 2026, the first of a series of updates to which employers are required to provide job protection will take effect. The updates are planned as follows: 

• January 1st, 2026: 25 or more employees
• January 1st, 2027: 15 or more employees
• January 1st, 2028: 8 or more employees

Other Changes and Updates to Watch for

While no updates have yet been announced, it's worth noting that the premium rate also generally updates at the start of each year. 

Worth noting for 2026 specifically, the current schedule of updates for the maximum weekly benefit amount for employees on leave ends with the update for 2025. It's quite possible this will continue to increase in 2026, as well as subsequent years.

Get Help with Washington State Compliance

PayNW helps companies track and report relevant employees' hours and wages to the State, and manage compliance and administration with laws such as Washington State Paid Family Medical Leave. 

If your business is struggling with tracking hours, wages, or overall compliance requirements, get in touch and explore how we can help.